When I Was 17: Lenay Dunn

The 10 On Top host may be a pop culture know-it-all now, but in high school she collected Beanie Babies and crushed on guys with shaggy hair. Find out more of her high school secrets in her Seventeen interview!

The 10 On Top host may be a pop culture know-it-all now, but in high school she collected Beanie Babies and crushed on guys with shaggy hair. Find out more of her high school secrets in her Seventeen interview!

Everyone at my school was collecting Beanie Babies. I had about 50 of them, and then they became uncool. I didn't know what to do with my room full of Beanie Babies!

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Predicting Her Post-Grad Life

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I thought I was going to be a pilot, a piano player, an artist, or a Spanish teacher.

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Her "Type" Of Guy

What was the craziest thing you did to get a guy to notice you?

I took a typing class because a guy I liked was in it. Then I asked one of my friends who knew him better what I should say to make him laugh. We never ended up dating, but I can still type really fast thanks to that class!

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Style Evolution

What was your style like when you were 17 and what is it like now?

When I was 17, I loved Abercrombie & Fitch! I loved jeans, but I hated wearing jewelry.

Now, my favorite brand is American Rag. I love wearing skirts and tights, cowgirl boots or flip-flops, and I love jewelry. My favorite accessory that I own is a silver necklace in the shape of Tennessee.

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Making It Clique

What was your clique like in high school? What about now?

I was a good girl, but I liked to go to parties too. I played year-round sports and percussion in the band. At school, I was in the AP classes and the drama classes. I also liked to go to 16+ dance clubs a lot!

Now, I live in Nashville and fly to New York City three days a week to host 10 On Top. In Nashville, all my friends are in bands, so I'd say I'm into the music scene there.

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Handful Of Hobbies

What were your hobbies when you were 17? Have they changed?

In high school, I liked piano, ice-hockey, drawing, and acting. I was also on the swim team and the track & field team.

Now, I like guitar, jogging, riding scooters, and making sugar cookies.

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Rumor Patrol

What rumors were being spread about you in high school? Are there any rumors you have to deal with now?

I didn't have a lot of drama in high school and my life is still pretty drama free now!

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She Also Goes By...

Did you have any nicknames growing up? What are your nicknames now?

I took weight training in the summer and the coach called me Lenny. My friend Leah and I were the only girls in the class — the rest were football players! I also had a friend named Michael Jordan (no, not that one) who called me Leniqua.

Now, the only nickname I have is Nay, which the producers of 10 On Top call me.

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Make New Friends, But Keep The Old

Who was your best friend when you were 17? What about now?

Leah was my best friend growing up. We met in 2nd grade and were inseparable! We always got in trouble for laughing too much. One time, we had to do a class presentation together. We started laughing halfway through and couldn't finish the presentation!

Now, my best friend is Liz, who was my college roommate. She's a chemical engineer in Minnesota now. She's the best!

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Filming Fiend

What did you used to do for fun?

I loved video editing and was always filming my friends and my cat. Actually, I still love doing that!

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Words Of Wisdom

What advice did your parents give you when you were 17?

They told me to look to God for everything. They still give me that same advice.

I used to worry about project deadlines and I often stayed up all night finishing things. Now, I worry that I don't get enough sleep. So not much has changed!

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On Her High School BF

What type of guys did you go for? What about now?

I liked boys with shaggy hair. My boyfriend was a guy named Ryan who was 21 and in college studying to be a pharmacist. He had shaggy hair and worked at Menards with me. Ryan wouldn't go to prom with me because he said he was too old for prom! I ended up going with my friend, Dexter.

Now, I'm married! My husband's name is Jason. He's from Canada, has tattoos, and is in a band.

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